Seeing that Akira was holding his own against Pakura, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, finally allowed himself a moment of relief. For the first time since the battle had begun, he could fully dedicate himself to his own opponent: Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage.
Before this, Hiruzen had fought cautiously, constantly splitting his attention toward Akira, worried that the young Uchiha might falter against the dangerous Pakura. This divided focus had given Rasa several opportunities, and though Hiruzen's skill and experience allowed him to avoid serious injury, he had nonetheless suffered some minor setbacks. Now, though, with full concentration, he unleashed the true depth of his might.
In the prime of his life at fifty years old, Hiruzen was a far cry from the weary, aging Hokage that would face Orochimaru over a decade later. His movements were sharp, his chakra abundant, his techniques precise and devastating.
His fingers blurred through hand seals with practiced ease, and with a massive intake of breath, he roared, "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
A tremendous dragon of searing flame erupted from Hiruzen's mouth, its furious roars matched only by the intensity of its heat. The fire dragon writhed and twisted as it surged toward Rasa, casting a crimson glow over the battlefield.
But Hiruzen did not stop there. His fingers danced once more, forming a second set of seals with breathtaking speed.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gust of wind burst forth, merging seamlessly with the advancing fire dragon. The two techniques combined into a terrifying inferno: the Wind Fire Dragon Barrage.
The wind, feeding the flames, transformed the fire dragon into a monstrous entity of swirling, devouring flame, a juggernaut of destruction that hurtled toward the Fourth Kazekage with unstoppable momentum.
Rasa's eyes narrowed. Though surprised by the power of Hiruzen's attack, he did not panic. Swiftly, he summoned forth his own defense.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Wall!"
A towering barricade of gleaming gold dust surged up from the earth, thick and shimmering, forming a wall even sturdier than any Earth Style defense. The gold dust, infused with chakra, formed a seemingly impenetrable fortress.
But Hiruzen was no ordinary shinobi.
His combination of fire and wind styles had a secret purpose. Wind might typically bolster fire, but within the elemental hierarchy of the ninja world, fire itself was a natural counter to wind. And the Fourth Kazekage's Magnet Release, constructed primarily through wind and lightning style chakra transformations, was vulnerable to that very element.
The blazing dragon crashed into the gold wall with a deafening roar. The intense heat destabilized the gold dust, disrupting the chakra network that held it together. Tiny cracks formed, then widened, until the fire dragon finally punched through, exploding out in a shower of molten gold.
Although the flames were considerably weakened after penetrating the wall, forcing Rasa to dodge swiftly, the psychological blow was clear. The Fourth Kazekage, wielder of a rare and powerful kekkei genkai, had been forced on the defensive by a "mere" combination technique.
A frown creased Rasa's face. He had already suffered a loss during an earlier taijutsu exchange with the Hokage. Now, even in ninjutsu, he found himself outmaneuvered.
Combination ninjutsu was rare precisely because of its difficulty. Perfecting it demanded not only incredible speed in forming seals but also near-instantaneous chakra nature transformation and coordination between separate techniques. Most shinobi relied on partnerships to achieve it. That Hiruzen Sarutobi could execute it alone was a testament to why he was known as "The Professor" and regarded by many as the most powerful living ninja.
In that moment, it was clear: while the title of "Strongest Hokage" might later be contested, today, no one in the ninja world could deny Hiruzen's supremacy.
Even Akira, with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and the towering might of his Susanoo, would not easily defeat the Third Hokage. Even Madara Uchiha, if he were to reveal himself from the shadows, would find this Hiruzen a formidable adversary, not the frail old man he would one day become.
Realizing that ground combat disadvantaged him, Rasa quickly adapted. Summoning a mass of gold dust, he rose into the air, floating above the battlefield.
From this aerial vantage point, he rained down attacks, manipulating his gold dust into countless projectiles, harassing Hiruzen from above. However, Hiruzen dodged each strike with nimble grace, his age far from a hindrance.
But with Rasa airborne, Hiruzen could not retaliate effectively. For all his skill, his techniques had limits when targeting foes in midair.
Smirking, Rasa believed he had turned the tide. But Hiruzen was already a step ahead.
"Summoning Technique: Monkey King Enma!"
In a billow of smoke, the mighty Monkey King Enma appeared. His powerful frame radiated a palpable aura of strength.
"Enma, transform!" Hiruzen commanded.
Without hesitation, Enma morphed into the Adamantine Staff — a black iron rod of unfathomable hardness, capable of extending and contracting at will.
Gripping the staff, Hiruzen pointed it skyward.
"Extend, Ruyi Staff!"
The Adamantine Staff shot upwards like a cannon blast. Its incredible speed and force caused shockwaves as it pierced toward the Fourth Kazekage.
Rasa, anticipating such a move, evaded smoothly, flying higher into the sky.
Yet Hiruzen was far from finished.
With deft hands and unyielding will, he manipulated the staff, causing it to whip and twist through the air like a living serpent. Staff shadows filled the sky, striking in rapid succession, denying Rasa a moment's rest.
Despite his best efforts, Rasa was nearly clipped several times. In a desperate bid, he soared higher still, out of immediate reach.
Smirking triumphantly, Rasa prepared his counterattack. Safe in the sky, he unleashed his Magnet Release once more.
"Gold Dust Rain!"
Hundreds of razor-thin needles of gold dust descended toward Hiruzen, each one lethal. Yet, with a fluid mastery of the Adamantine Staff, Hiruzen deflected them all, spinning the staff in great arcs to create a barrier.
Both men found themselves in a stalemate. Hiruzen could not reach the Kazekage; Rasa could not break Hiruzen's defense.
However, Hiruzen knew he held the advantage. He turned his head slightly, gazing toward the massed ranks of Sand Village ninjas behind Rasa.
If he could not strike Rasa, then he would strike what Rasa sought to protect.
Without hesitation, he raced toward the enemy lines.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Five clones sprang into existence, each identical to Hiruzen, each wielding the Adamantine Staff.
The clones plunged into the Sand Village forces with ruthless efficiency. Ninjas fell before them like wheat before a scythe. Cries of alarm, pain, and despair filled the air.
Seeing this, Rasa laughed bitterly. If Hiruzen sought to massacre his forces, he would respond in kind.
"Magnet Release: Gold Sand Tsunami!"
From the earth, a colossal wave of gold dust rose, surging toward the Konoha forces. It crashed down with terrifying force, burying countless shinobi.
The battlefield became a hellscape. Screams echoed across the plains as lives were extinguished by the dozens.
Yet Hiruzen did not waver. He pressed his assault, his clones carving a bloody path through the Sand Village ranks.
He knew the cost of war. Every Konoha ninja had entered this battle knowing they might never return. Sacrifices were inevitable.
Moreover, Konoha, the mightiest of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, could afford such losses. Sand Village, smaller and weaker, could not.
And Rasa knew it.
The Fourth Kazekage's hands trembled. Every elite ninja lost here would be a wound that the Sand Village might never heal.
Grimacing, Rasa made his decision.
He ceased his airborne attacks and descended swiftly to the ground, landing heavily in front of Hiruzen.
No matter the risk, he had to confront the Third Hokage directly.
As soon as Rasa touched down, Hiruzen struck like a coiled serpent. His clones converged, boxing the Kazekage in, while the original prepared a devastating assault.
The battlefield quieted, as if holding its breath. The final, decisive clash between Hokage and Kazekage was about to begin...
And in the hearts of all who watched, it was clear: today, the Third Hokage would remind the world why Konoha's shadow loomed so large over the shinobi world.
Because on this battlefield, in this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Will of Fire made flesh, an unstoppable force that no amount of gold, no kekkei genkai, and no fear could stand against.